Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in Kansas
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: K.S.A. § 60-512(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from the date of default — typically the last payment or last charge on the account, under K.S.A. § 60-512(1).
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Under K.S.A. § 60-512(1), you have 3 years from the date of default — typically the last payment or last charge on the account to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Kansas. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Kansas-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Kansas Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 3 years | K.S.A. § 60-512(1) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | K.S.A. 60-513(a)(7), (c) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-1901 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 47-645 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | K.S.A. § 60-514(a) |
| Breach of Contract | 5 yrs | K.S.A. 60-511(1) |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-511(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Kansas, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on the date of default — typically the last payment or last charge on the account. Kansas does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Credit-card debt is an implied/unwritten contract or open account under § 60-512 (3 yrs); a signed written contract would fall under § 60-511 (5 yrs). Revival trap: under K.S.A. § 60-520 a signed written acknowledgment or promise, and a partial payment, will restart the 3-year clock.
Source: K.S.A. § 60-512(1), official Kansas statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Kansas government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Kansas Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 3 years | K.S.A. § 60-512(1) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-206 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) |
| Oklahoma | 5 yrs | 12 O.S. § 95(A)(1) |
| Colorado | 6 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-103.5(1)(a) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Kansas?
You have 3 years from the date of default — typically the last payment or last charge on the account, under K.S.A. § 60-512(1).
Can I still sue after 3 years in Kansas?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
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Sources
- Official K.S.A. 60-512 (Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes official)
- Corroborating Kansas Statutes § 60-512 (Justia US Codes)
- Corroborating Statute of Limitations in All 50 States (Nolo)
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Kansas attorney.